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[ATTACHED IMAGE]

My favorite photo from today.

My heart suddenly skips a beat as I stare at the screen. It’s a picture of me on the shore, my book in one hand and my other shielding the sun from my eyes as I read. The bright sunlight accentuates the beads of water glistening on my skin, and the sheen of the sunscreen gives me a flawless, golden glow. Damn. He was right. This is a really good photo.

I smile wide at my screen as I save his number.

Cami

Dang, how much editing did it take you to make me look that good?

Drew

Zero. That's all you and your natural beauty.

Cami

Well, now I don't know whether to say thank you or accuse you of lying.

Drew

I’m not lying, Cami.

Cami

Then, thank you.

Drew

You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.

Cami

Goodnight, Drew….And seriously, thank you.

I pull the phone to my chest, closing my eyes. I can't help but picture Drew lying in his own bed in the dark, his laptop splayed across his lap, staring at a photo of me half naked on the lake shore. The thought makes my heart hammer wildly against my ribs.

CHAPTER 6

Drew

8 YEARS AGO

It's October, and we’ve officially made it through two months of school, filled with endless practices and Friday night games. The season is coming to an end, and it feels bittersweet. We’ve absolutely crushed it this year, maintaining a perfect, undefeated record. College scouts have even taken notice. They have shown up on our sidelines for a few games. Because of it, I’ve had zero downtime, which is probably what I’m looking forward to the most when this is all over. I’ve been consumed by my studies, keeping a solid GPA, and focusing solely on leading my team. My goal is to lock in a football scholarship to UCLA and later, the NFL. All the guys invite me out on the weekends to party, but as their captain, I’ve made the decision to wait until the season is over.

Today is Halloween. Usually, it’s a fun holiday to celebrate, but tomorrow is our final and most crucial game. There’s an enormous amount of pressure to finish strong with a win, and the whole student body is buzzing because it’s also Homecoming. The moment the final bell rings this afternoon, our last practice begins.

I’m sitting on the hood of my car outside my house, waiting for Cooper and Cami to come out so we can go to school. A few minutes tick by, I check my watch. They're late. Before I can look up, I hear the door swing open, and Cami rushes out, her backpack high on her shoulders and clarinet case heavy in her hand.

“Hey! Where's your brother?” I ask, stepping up to swing open the backseat door for her.

She sighs, rolling her eyes. “Staring at himself in the mirror, messing with his hair.”

“He’s what!?” I chuckle.

“He won't stop talking about Vanessa.”

“Ah, I see,” I say.